Who is Mumbai Indians' head coach for IPL 2027? Mahela Jayawardene and MI reportedly part ways 'mutually' originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Mumbai Indians do not have a head coach for IPL 2027 after Mahela Jayawardene and the franchise reportedly parted ways.
- A new head coach is likely to be finalised soon, with interviews expected in the coming week.
- Jayawardene's exit follows a ninth-place finish in 2026, when the five-time champions won only four matches.
Mahela Jayawardene is no longer Mumbai Indians' head coach
Mumbai Indians do not have a head coach for IPL 2027. Mahela Jayawardene and the franchise have reportedly decided together to part ways, with the aim of bringing in a fresh perspective from the upcoming season. A new head coach is likely to be finalised soon.
The decision was reached in a meeting of the top brass earlier this week. MI have reportedly already identified multiple candidates, and interviews could take place in the coming week. It is unlikely that Jayawardene will stay in the setup in a different role.
Jayawardene was head coach from 2017 to 2022 and returned in October 2024 on a two-plus-one contract. Under him, Mumbai Indians reached the playoffs in 2025 and then finished ninth in 2026. He leaves the five-time champions before the next cycle begins.
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Why MI and Mahela Jayawardene decided to part ways
A source tracking developments told TimesofIndia.com that both sides agreed to the move. The source said, "Mahela is always part of the one family." The source added, "It was mutually decided to bring in fresh perspective from the upcoming season."
The source also said a decision is close. The source said, "There are names on the table and a decision will be taken soon." The report adds that the new coach is likely to be finalised in the coming week.
Mumbai Indians later confirmed the exit in a statement on X on Saturday, according to reports. The franchise said, "Mahela has been much more than a Head Coach to Mumbai Indians." The statement thanked Jayawardene for his service to the club.
The change follows a poor 2026. Mumbai Indians won four of their 14 matches and finished ninth with eight points. The report says the season was marred by injuries, availability concerns and unrest in the dressing room. It was a sharp fall from 2025, when the team reached the playoffs.
The report also looks ahead to the captaincy. It remains to be seen how the Hardik Pandya trade talks unfold in the coming weeks. Franchise sources say the status quo continues, but activity cannot be ruled out closer to the retention deadline.
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Who could replace Mahela Jayawardene as Mumbai Indians head coach?
No names have been reported for the job. The list below is our own and is based on past ties with the franchise. Neither person has been linked to the role in any report, and their commitments for IPL 2027 have not been confirmed.
Possible candidates to become Mumbai Indians' head coach
| Name | Link with Mumbai Indians |
|---|---|
| Kieron Pollard | Played for the franchise from 2010 to 2022 and joined the coaching staff as batting coach in 2023 |
| Mark Boucher | Head coach for the 2023 and 2024 seasons before Jayawardene returned |
Both names come from inside the Mumbai Indians family. Pollard knows the dressing room from 13 seasons as a player, while Boucher has already held the job.
The report says the franchise is clear on taking a different direction, which may point to a wider search.
(We will update this list when names emerge.)
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